New Tank, Let Me Know If I'm In The Right Direction.

[anthony1238]

Ok i pick up a 75 gallon with a bunch of stuff for really cheap so i decided to go saltwater for this one. I have a Cichlid and Freshwater set ups also.

I cleaned the tank a few days ago and filled it. Mixed in my Coralife Salt mix to a 1.022 salinity. I let it sit for a day and tested it again. I found some local Live rock for 2 dollars a pound from a guy breaking down his tank off craigslist. Its been cured and has a good amount of algea on it. I added it to the tank along with 30 pounds of argonite and 30 pounds of live sand.

The tank setup i got came with an Aquaclear 110, fluval 303 and an overflow for a sump. right now i have the AC 110 running with just a sponge to clear the water from the sand I added and to circulate the water and it's basicly clear this morning. I also added 2 powerhead 402 that came with the tank to help move the water for the live rock.

I'm ditching the other filter and setting up a sump, I got a sump for 50 bux from the same guy with the live rock but I still need a return pump and a Protien Skimmer. How big of a return pump should I get and what Skimmer would i need. I'm going to run the AC110 until i get it up and running.

Also I don't have lighting or a hood yet. Could I use plexy glass for a hood and just cut the slots I need and maybe a hinged door? what lighing should I get?

I'm going to hold off on any corals or anything until i get use to a basic salt setup. i found a 2 bulb T5 setup thats about 56 watts total for 50 bux, will that be good enough untill i get corals? and can I just add another bar like that to bring the total above 100 watts for corals?

I don't want to break the bank, i got the tank,stand, 3 filter setups, 2 powerheads, 50 ft python, live rock and a sump for the grand total of $225.
So once I get a return for the sump, lights, and a Skimmer should I be all set for now?

 

[ben1987]

probably need more salt in there i think
and you can use what ever lighting you want to keep fish, its down to your taste. Its corals that need the more powerful ones

 

[orange shark]

1.022 is fine, i keep mine at 1.023, as long as you dont go below 1.021 you should be fine

 

[anthony1238]

Quick Question also, say i went to the beach and found a bunch of hermit crabs in the seaweed rolling in with the tide, could these be kept in my aquarium?

i would have to get different size snail shells for them to upgrade of couse.

i ask because in was at the beach yesterday and was snooping around the rocks at low tide and spotted some hermit crabs and small crabs walking around.

 

[SkiFletch]

Off to a good start indeed

One note, when you stacked the LR did you do so on the glass or on the sand? You need to make sure the rock has a solid base of glass underneath it. If it's resting only on sand the rocks can shift and cause a rockslide over time

As for the return pump, what size bulkhead fitting is on the overflow, and/or what is the capacity of the overflow box (if that's what's used). You match the pump to your drain

As for a hood, you could go with something made out of acrylic, but heat becomes a factor here eventually. You don't need much light for just fish only with live rock, just a single T5 tube spanning the length of the tank is enough. When you get into corals, you'll want to look into either a 4x54watt T5, 6x54watt T5, or a 2x175watt halide setup depending on what corals you want to keep.

 

[anthony1238]

Off to a good start indeed

One note, when you stacked the LR did you do so on the glass or on the sand? You need to make sure the rock has a solid base of glass underneath it. If it's resting only on sand the rocks can shift and cause a rockslide over time

As for the return pump, what size bulkhead fitting is on the overflow, and/or what is the capacity of the overflow box (if that's what's used). You match the pump to your drain

As for a hood, you could go with something made out of acrylic, but heat becomes a factor here eventually. You don't need much light for just fish only with live rock, just a single T5 tube spanning the length of the tank is enough. When you get into corals, you'll want to look into either a 4x54watt T5, 6x54watt T5, or a 2x175watt halide setup depending on what corals you want to keep.

I put the rocks on the sand temporarily , I'll be moving the sand to the side and aquascaping then patting the sand around the base. I didn't have the time after i bought it and the sand clouded the water so i could see inside.

 

[anthony1238]

One more question for now... I was also given a piece of dried Coral, can this go directly in the tank after I rinse it? or does it need anything special. i know noobie questions.

 

[SkiFletch]

Good idea to rinse it real quick but should be OK to use